But, when you’ve got a crush on someone at work, those worries can easily fall by the wayside. You see this person every day, in his or her element, doing exceptional work—pretty soon, that rational voice in your head gets quieter and quieter and the emotions become impossible to ignore.

What should you do (besides, you know, check the dating policies in your employee handbook)?

1. Remember That “Feeling” Doesn’t Always Mean “Acting”

It’s okay to like someone—anyone, anywhere, any place. But liking someone doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to act on those feelings.

Put simply: You can enjoy a feeling, without ever having to act on it.

Use your judgement to decide, “This is a time to feel, and this is a time to act.”

2. Remember That You—Not Your Feelings—Are in Control

Your feelings do not control you. You are in charge.

If it feels like your emotions are taking over, that means that you’ve allowed intense feelings to build up for too long, like steam in a tea kettle. The good news? Once you release those emotions safely, they won’t rule you anymore.

There are so many ways to release pent-up emotions. Screaming into a pillow. Thwacking a pillow with a knotted-up towel. Painting, writing, or singing loudly while vocalizing your feelings out loud. The more physical, the better.

3. Remember That You Don’t Have to Feel Guilty (in Fact, it’s Dangerous if You Do)

I like my co-worker—but I shouldn’t!

I know I shouldn’t be attracted to my boss, but I am—I feel terrible for feeling this way.

Guilty thoughts like these are like throwing gasoline on a fire. They’re dangerous, because you’re far more likely to do unhealthy and inappropriate things when you’re already feeling guilty.

Guilt distorts our ability to think clearly, leading to thoughts like: “What the heck, I’ve already made a mess of everything by falling in love with my married boss (even though no one knows), so I might as well pursue this.”

But remember, again: You are in charge. Not your thoughts. Not your feelings.

4. Remember That You Are Allowed to Enjoy the Excitement

Having a workplace crush can be fun, exciting—and even productive!

You might find yourself dressing more sharply, speaking up in meetings more readily, contributing to projects in a bigger way—all because you like the way that special someone’s face lights up when you’ve done a great job.

Once you clear guilt out of the way, you can delight in the thrill and the sparks.

And with those happy sparks in your heart, you can shift into a positive frame of mind—one that will allow you to calmly consider the pros and cons of starting a relationship with your co-worker.

Dr. Suzanne Gelb is a psychologist, life coach and attorney. She believes that it is never too late to become the person you want to be—and that with enough courage and self-respect, it is always possible upgrade your career, step into a new role, or launch the business of your dreams. Her insights have been featured on over 200 radio programs, 200 TV interviews and online at Time, Forbes, Newsweek, Mashable, Business Insider, NBC's Today, and The Huffington Post. Her writings on leadership, empowerment and productivity can be found at DrSuzanneGelb.com. Book one-on-one coaching sessions with Suzanne on The Muse's Coach Connect.

Meet The Author

Dr. Suzanne Gelb is a psychologist, life coach and attorney. She believes that it is never too late to become the person you want to be—and that with enough courage and self-respect, it is always possible upgrade your career, step into a new role, or launch the business of your dreams. Her insights have been featured on over 200 radio programs, 200 TV interviews and online at Time, Forbes, Newsweek, Mashable, Business Insider, NBC's Today, and The Huffington Post. Her writings on leadership, empowerment and productivity can be found at DrSuzanneGelb.com. Book one-on-one coaching sessions with Suzanne on The Muse's Coach Connect.